The Myth of the Gun

Excellent piece (as always) from the Guys at Extra Credit, over at The Escapist about the Historical and Social Reason Americans are so into First Shooter Video Games.

New York MMA

At the premier of NY MMA I joked with Peter Lamapsona, a writer for USCombatSports.com that this would be the worst place for some drunk or troublemaker to start a fight. As he pointed out in addition the various MMA martial artist in the room their were at least 2 or more title holders in the Room including Eddie Alvarez, a current lightweight champion and also interview subject for the documentary. The drunk/troublemaker scenario would quickly turn into the Chappelle show skit, “When Keeping it Real Goes Wrong.”

Fortunately for all imaginary drunks and troublemakers that scenario was just a mental exercise. NY MMA as a documentary argues and illustrates that as a sport it celebrates the discipline and dedication of the people involved especially people in the NY scene where for various reasons its illegal.

In many ways NYC is the perfect fit for MMA . With a international reputation for toughness and a international reputation for being international. MMA with its modern gladiators and the impossibility of being part of the MMA scene and not encounter a Brazilian, Dutch, Eastern European, or Japanese accent. Accents and toughness that would be right at home in NYC.

Yet despite this the early reputation of MMA as human cockfight lingers and part of the consequence of this is the State wide Ban on MMA bouts. Part of the consequence of that is shown when we encounter Bradley Desir, Promising MMA fighter who because of the ban on MMA has to travel to other states to qualify and compete in the sport he loves.

The documentary covers a wider array of the MMA world from Martial Arts Teachers to Public Relations, Executives like Dana White of UFC and important figures in the sport like Bas Rutten, Josh Barnett and others.

But noticeable in the documentary about a sports origin in combat is that it has a lack of an opponent. The fighters and MMA professionals are all given a real voice and personality yet the opposition to them is vague. The vague rule against MMA in NYC is never personified as well as the opinions of the fighters and teachers the Filmmakers interview. No politician or public figure or voice on the street who stands against the legalization of MMA is ever giving a clear voice to either critique or show their motivation.

Another lack of the documentary is the Filmmakers take far too long to introduce what turns out to be a sly sense of humor. There humor which is only apparent in the third act, creates some of the documentaries more entertaining moments, such as a in joke about the illegal practice of a popular MMA fighter, Relaying the many many rules in place to safeguard fighters while having some in jokes and adds a levity to the professional and intelligent tone most of the interviewers take.

In all a good documentary but the lack of a clear counterpoint and a unexplained subjugation of a wonderful sense of humor that makes many good points in arguing for legalization of MMA in New York.

Newsworthy Weekend

This Weekend had a lot of events. Normally wouldn't cover this, but hell, a whole lot of whole lots happened, and they can't be ignored.

So as every one knows the Brits have a new Princess since Prince Philip got married. Wasn't too interested in the Royal Wedding. Glad too people who say they love each other are going to try and spend the rest of their life together, but past that didn't have any interest, until I saw this:

Whatever convinced Princess Beatrice to wear that God only knows. But suffice to say if Doctor Who and the Daleks showed up and fought over who got possession of that hat, nobody would blink, in fact they would kind of anticipated it.

On a more serious note we also found out that Osama Bin Laden had been found and killed. Lots of surprise, some celebration at his death, as for me, to quote the Smiths “I'm not Happy and I'm not Sad”
Glad to see that some of the families of 9/11 were able to find closure. Glad some justice was served But find no need to celebrate what is a benchmark though not a endmark in a continuing struggle .

The Smurfette Principle

The Folks over at Feminist Frequency do a great job of explaining the Smurfette Principle; part of the "The Only" Trope Family ( "The Only" Black/Latino/Woman/Minority in a story or cast of characters.)

Animation and Hip Hop

Anyone that know their Urban Metaphors, knows that Roses grow out of concrete. And being a fan of this saying I wanted it so badly to describe the very first animated movie I saw that had a hip hop sensibility to it. Unfortunately upon re-watching Bebe's kids it became apparent that a weed growing out of concrete was the more apt metaphor.

As Far as I can remember Bebe's kid was the first animated movie that had a hip hop sensibility to it. Based on a comedy skit by late comedian Robin Harris, it unfortunately did not stand the test of time when recently watching it as an adult. Both critics and the studio that produced it gave it the side eye treatment. Reviews for it were horrible and the DVD was discontinued due to low sales.

Now thinking of Hip Hop and Animation in the same sentence gives people pause. After all Hip Hop is stereotypically about gritty street imagery, while animation is stereotypically about cute talking animals and bunnies, and flowers and fairy princesses. However I might suggest that this is because these people never ever paid full attention to Disney Movies in particular their villains who show us mere mortals how grimy is done.

In Disney's very first Movie “Snow White” the Evil Queen literally ask for Snow Whites heart to be bought to her in a box. Disney screwed up many a child hood by killing Bambi's mother. In “Sleeping Beauty” Maleficent catches feelings cause she wasn't invited to a birthday part so she curses a infant with a horrible death (not making this up folks, re-watch the movie.)

Both Lady Tremaine (aka this Axe murderer looking bitch from "Cinderella")



And Madame Medusa from “The Rescuers”
didn't just write the definitive books on Child endangerment and abuse but they founded and maintain the library on that subject.

Let's not forget Judge Claude Frollo who if we learned anything from “Hunchback of Notre Dame” is that his favorite pickup line is “Sleep with me, or I'll kill you and your entire ethnic Group.” So yeah fuck that Bull@#$% If you're walking down the block and Captain Hook and his crew are on one side of the road and the Crips are on the other side you better walk in the middle .

So after that brief education in Disney Griminess and the early failures to incorporate Hip Hop and Animation (Not even going to discuss the MC Hammer Cartoon aka “That which must be named.” Here are some examples of making it work.



Afro Samurai – In contrast to Disney's falsely earned reputation for being all pixie dust and fluffiness, Anime always had a harder edged reputation, that gained it a big underground audience. So it wasn't out of left field when Afro Samurai with its Kung Fu Movie, Rap and Japanese cultural references, was introduced. Further adding to the pedigree is the soundtrack by Wu-Tang's Rza and the lead character being voiced by Samuel L. Jackson.



Samurai Champloo – Another example of Hip Hop and Anime. A excellent soundtrack provided by the now regrettably deceased Producer Nujabes. The Anachronistic story telling includes beat boxing Samurai, Break-dancing Samurai, Yakuza with Gold Fronts, A episode that gives a completely new meaning to “blazing trees”. In addition this anime also tackles some social issues like the mistreatment of the Ainu, a minority group in Japan, homosexuality, and the early persecutions of Christians in early Japan.



Madagascar 2 – For the Second Madagascar movie Movie Soundtrack Movie Maestro Hans Zimmer teamed up with Will I Am for a Animated movie with a Heavily Hip Hop tinged soundtrack. My Favorite moment of this movie was Alex On The Spot/The Traveling Song where the Hans Zimmer/Will I Am combination create a truly moving father/son moment.





Despicable Me – For their first animated outing the guys who did Despicable Me went with a Big Gun, Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes. As Far as I can tell this is Pharrell's first movie composer credit and I'm impressed. The high point is probably the R&B and Jazz infused song “Prettiest Girls”. The Title song for this movie is also killer.


Honorable Mentions:

(Gatchaman :)

While Technically not Hip Hop C'mon its a soundtrack composed by Earth Wind and Fire's Maurice White and the 80's R&B Inspired exit song for Gatchaman isn't bad.




(Proud Family:)

So Yeah Breakdancing against Mutant Peanuts........



(Tengo Tenge:)

One of the few Animes with a black central character it makes the list with its snazzy dance opening

Libyan Child Traffic Cop

WTF Pics: Final Fast Food

After seeing these Pics taken at the 2008 Los Angeles Anime Expo I can't help but hum "McDonalds" in my head to this tune